The more we behold Christ the more we hate sin   

Amen dear sister!  The chapter reveals that the disciples did not accept the truth that Christ must suffer and die. They did not want to give up their hope that He would sit upon an earthly throne. They did not want to follow in His path of suffering. As such, it was a mystery to them. Satan was blocking their understanding of what Christ had made plain.

     Beyond the poverty and humiliation of the present, He pointed the disciples to His coming in glory, not in the splendor of an earthly throne, but with the glory of God and the hosts of heaven. And then, He said, "He shall reward every man according to his works." Then for their encouragement He gave the promise, "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom." But the disciples did not comprehend His words. The glory seemed far away. Their eyes were fixed upon the nearer view, the earthly life of poverty, humiliation, and suffering. Must their glowing expectations of the Messiah's kingdom be relinquished? Were they not to see their Lord exalted to the throne of David? Could it be that Christ was to live a humble, homeless wanderer, to be despised, rejected, and put to death? Sadness oppressed their hearts, for they loved their Master. Doubt also harassed their minds, for it seemed incomprehensible that the Son of God should be subjected to such cruel humiliation. They questioned why He should voluntarily go to Jerusalem to meet the treatment which He had told them He was there to receive. How could He resign Himself to such a fate, and leave them in greater darkness than that in which they were groping before He revealed Himself to them?  {DA 417.3}
     In the region of Caesarea Philippi, Christ was out of the reach of Herod and Caiaphas, the disciples reasoned. He had nothing to fear from the hatred of the Jews or from the power of the Romans. Why not work there, at a distance from the Pharisees? Why need He give Himself up to death? If He was to die, how was it that His kingdom was to be established so firmly that the gates of hell should not prevail against it? To the disciples this was indeed a mystery.   

Satan had succeeded with Israel in perverting the gospel which is the everlasting covenant made before the foundation of the world was laid. Even the Words of Jesus were rejected by His disciples because of the false teachings of the leaders in Israel. Instead of seeing the sacrificial offerings as pointing to the grace of God to save humanity, they thought it bought them eternal life. They considered it was their sacrifice, not the sacrifice of God. The warm blood of the Lamb was given to break the heart of the sinner as it ran over the fingers of the sinner. But, the hearts were not surrendered because they did not see it was the blood of the Son of God. Even John the Baptist did not understand the Lamb had to suffer and die in order for the sins of the world to be forgiven. Such a deception! 

Today, how do the chosen ones of God to whom the Truth has been entrusted understand the gospel message? Do we understand that the sufferings of Jesus is an example for us to follow?

God never leads His children otherwise than they would choose to be led, if they could see the end from the beginning, and discern the glory  of the purpose which they are fulfilling as co-workers with Him. Not Enoch, who was translated to heaven, not Elijah, who ascended in a chariot of fire, was greater or more honored than John the Baptist, who perished alone in the dungeon. “Unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on Him, but also to suffer for His sake.” Philippians 1:29. And of all the gifts that Heaven can bestow upon men, fellowship with Christ in His sufferings is the most weighty trust and the highest honor. Desire of Ages 224.

Praise the Lord, Brother Beacon!

How did Jesus go through the trial of the cross? We read these words of inspiration: "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus could go through the cross--all its agony and suffering--because of the joy of seeing souls redeemed! He was fulfilling His great mission! As we respond to the infinite love of God and go forth to seek and save souls by pointing them to Jesus, sharing God's inspired word, we will count it all joy to face whatever trials befall us in the path of service, for we keep our eyes of faith steadfastly fixed on Christ, realizing the infinite love of God in Christ constrains us forward through the baptism of the Holy Spirit!

"Love for souls for whom Christ died means crucifixion of self. He who is a child of God should henceforth look upon himself as a link in the chain let down to save the world, one with Christ in His plan of mercy, going forth with Him to seek and save the lost. The Christian is ever to realize that he has consecrated himself to God, and that in character he is to reveal Christ to the world. The self-sacrifice, the sympathy, the love, manifested in the life of Christ are to reappear in the life of the worker for God." {The Desire of Ages, page 417, paragraph 1}

As long as we are vitally connected to Christ by a living union and communion of our souls with Him in complete surrender of the whole heart in willing obedience to all of His commandments, all of the fruits of the Spirit without one missing will flow forth from our lives, and we will rejoice to follow where He leads the way! Nothing of the world can make us sad when Jesus makes us glad by His presence! "The joy of the Lord is your strength" (Nehemiah 8:10)! Are you happy in Jesus? Then go find others to share the joy that animates and blesses your soul with the life-giving power of eternal life!!